Groaning, I woke up and looked around my room. Messy as usual, left alone by the cleaning staff. It was exactly as I preferred. I heard on the streets about how parents always yell endlessly about cleaning up rooms. Well, having no parents solved that. Yet I never understood why the elderly folk always seemed to forget that in most cases us youngins could remember where we put our stuff and that having everything organized was unnecessary to find stuff for those of us without short term memory loss.
I solved the problem of nagging maids, servants, whatever they actually were, by finally just leaving a bloody knife on my floor, next to a rabbit I had shot. It made a wonderful mess and sent the young Elf-chick screaming her poor, pretty head of and she refused to ever clean my rooms again. She acted like it was a cardinal sin, or something, to not have a room cleaned. They treat me like someone of high rank, and I despise it.
I groaned and went over to my north wall. The entire area was covered by a weapons rack, full of knives, two set of bows and quivers, a bundle of arrows, and two Elvish style fighting swords. The last two I had yet to name, but every other weapon had an identity that fit its job Pathetic, I know, naming knives and such, but it's my way and I'm not about to stop now.
Taking a deep sigh I started strapping on weapons. The two nameless swords went on my back, making an 'X' in their special sheathes. The straps in front held pouches for throwing stars and smaller daggers. My bow, similar to the ones used by Galadriel's people, went over the one that my left hand would grab, my quiver over the right one. Again, sounds weird but it was my way and it worked for me. My combats boots had small straps sewn into the material on the inside to prevent the knifes I kept on my calf from sliding down and rubbing blisters on my ankle. My thighs were weaponless, but only because that's where the majority of my pockets were. These I refilled as needed and added a few of my own concoctions, including a homemade smoke bomb and a mini Molotov cocktail, ready to be soaked, lit, and thrown. Other objects that were defiantly Earth-inspired found homes on my person before I was finished and walked out the door.
Winding my way through the oddly crowded halls I found my way to Nicolas' rooms and let myself in with a little help from my lock picks that were hidden in my coronet of hair. The guy was sleeping, peacefully, his skin a normal color and a red tint back in his cheeks. Just to be sure, I took out a small vial that reminds me of a miniature pixie stick and broke it beneath his nose, allowing him to inhale it. I waited a minute to make sure the fast acting sleeping powder was in full swing before I peeled back an eyelid. Sky blue irises, thank God. Nicolas was free from the wraith-world, and so, then was Frodo. I turned and walked out of the room without a backward glance. The sleepy stuff would only last about five minutes, so I wasn't worried about Sleeping Beauty never waking up or anything like that.
Next stop on my list was the Library Room, where I went to a certain shelf, opened a particular book to an exact page, and got out a pen that had come with me from Earth and a piece of parchment. I traced the map of Middle Earth, just to be on the safe side. I mean, I knew my way decently around, I had gone most of the places. But if you accidentally wind up in the Shire instead of Rohan on a previous excursion, you might wanna bring a map if you're headin for Mordor.
Finished, I went to what was basically Elrond's office so I could inform him of my new vacation ideas. I barged in, ignored the travel-stained Man that was there and started talking despite their conversation. "Oi, Elrond. I'm gonna leave for a year or two, so see ya round.!" I wheeled to leave the room, but I should of remembered how sharp and Elf's perfect ears are.
Instead of him just letting me go, I got this sortta stately, Elven version, "WHAT?!?! You come back here right now, missy and tell me what its all about!"
So I turned around, gave a death-glare to that stupid Man, took a deep breathe and began spouting off in Elvish to avoid that slimy Man's eavesdropping. 'Yeah, listen. I woke up, thought for maybe a minute, and decided there are gonna be big things now that Frodo and the One Ring are here. So, I decided, take Uruuva Mornie, leave and head off for a little while. I was thinking, somewhere with stinkin marshes, poisonous air, big bad dude roamin' around. Sounds kinda like Mordor, doncha think? But first I as gonna hang around with Galadriel, steal some lembas, and then hide out somewhere in a Mordorian cave until you all decided to get off your lazy bums and send the Ring to its destruction. I'll help the Ringbearer destroy the damn thing, get rid of Uruuva, come back to Rivendell and chill. Maybe I'll kick a little Sauron ass along the way, but if not, cool."
"Lady Kadrianna Huinemeoi, I believe it best that you stay in Rivendell until we have decided what we are going to do with the One Ring that Frodo bears." This is where I started humming tunelessly, as I ignored Elrond and began fingering my knives and looking suspiciously at that Man. I guess I musta been nodding my head too, cuz 'fore I know it I hear Elrond going, "Then we are agreed?"
I did what any sensible person would do. Walk away. Only to be called back, again, by a rather annoyed Elf-lord. And then there was still my nice little one-Man audience, all of this combining to annoy me, despite the fact that I was rather cheerful and rested. Elrond gave his look, that one he seemed to reserve specially for me as no one else appeared to receive it. I returned with my own special I- don't- care- that- you're- glaring- at- me- cuz- I- can- glare- back- look.
"Are we or are we not agreed?"
"Umm, Elrond? Remember what I said? You know, the whole spiel about not wanting any titles or anything? I sorta stopped listening at the 'Lady', much less my full name, probably due to the fact that there is not a speck of 'Lady' in me. But anyways, I am going, unless you have any better ideas." With a small grrfff of annoyance I crossed my arms over my weapon-covered chest
"My deepest apologies, Dri." I grunted, which he wisely ignored and kept yappin, "and yes, I do have an idea. There is to be a council today, in an hour and one half, to be precise, and I would appreciate your presence. You, as a bearer of Uruuva Mornie, owe it to be there when the fate of the One Ring is decided, and thus the fate of the Ring you bear mapped out. Actually, I was just discussing this matter with Boromir, son of Denethor."
At this point I glared at both Elrond and Boromir, the well traveled Man, and muttered a rather rude comment about my opinions on the male sector of that particular race. Let's just put it this way: any Man who understood would have been blushing furiously and crossing his legs in a rather uncomfortable manner. Which only made me grin crazily at my rash statement. Again I was given The Glare as Elrond Glare-giver just wouldn't shut up.
"All the races will be represented, and so I would deem it appropriate if you, only woman of your kind known to be in Middle-Earth, were there to essentially show some self interest."
"Nooooo-"
"Frodo Baggins shall be there."
"-thing planned for then. But I'm not coming human, okay? It' bad enough that its
gonna be entirely guys, but to have a he-Man, like our Boromir here, there you'd hafta pay me a million bucks to see ME. So no flippin if you see a hawk that likes to land on your chair or sumthin."
"Fine."
I turned around and walked out the door and started headed back to my rooms to unload a little before the "Yelling Morons" Contest I had been blackmailed into it. First was the whole 'It's your duty' tactic. Then Glare-giver used Frodo against me. I have a fascination with Hobbits, probably acquired from my friend Gandalf. Those creatures, Hobbits, I mean, are like tree-hugger midgets. Yet, they are as strong and unbreakable as my swords when need be. And here was a Hobbit who had a mere trinket that laced his destiny with mine. Of course I was fascinated.
Gandalf! I had forgotten to ask if he had arrived! I turned around with not a little swearing an headed back to Elrond's office but before I had even reached the door I heard Elrond call out in the common tongue "He's around, Dri. He should be here in about twenty minutes, if that wizard decides to be on time."
Grinning, I quoted Gandalf's favorite retort to remarks on his lateness. "You know 'A wizard is never late, nor is he early, Elrond Half-elven. He arrives precisely when he means to."
"And that just happens to be exactly this minute." added a warm voice behind me.
"Gandalf!!" I practically shrieked in recognition as I spun to embrace my ancient friend, nearly knocking him down. "What happened? You didn't come, I was ready to go find you myself, Mithrandir." I backed off to give him room from my deathly hug and looked questioningly into his expressive eyes.
"All will be revealed at the council, which I suppose you are being ruthlessly forced to attend, Dri?"
"Actually, Gandalf, she has agreed to come on her own. She was on the verge of refusing before I informed her that a young Hobbit by the name of Frodo Baggins would also be in attendance."
"So that explains the absence of any blood on walls or floor," said Gandalf with a wink at me, "all for the best, I am sure. Hail to you, Boromir, son of Denethor. I suggest you be careful around this woman, and keep your tongue clenched firmly behind your teeth for she nearly always manages to outwit one despite the effort one puts into his side of the losing battle of words."
Groaning, I pulled out a live knife and began tossing it up in the air, making it cartwheel many times before I would catch it by its hilt. After a moment of silence I spoke my mind, "Don't matter what he says or what he don't say. I'm gonna judge 'im by his actions. And he might wanna know I have a pretty damn short temper." I didn't know why I spoke so uneducated, more than usual, I mean, and threw in the 'damn', but something about this Man reminded me about Hans, the way they both seemed to have a cautious air about them. Grrrfffff. I flipped my knife one last time before catching it and replacing the weapon back in its sheath in one fluid movement, turned and walked back out the door. "See ya at the Council, Mithrandir!" I called over my shoulder before I was
gone.
Again I headed back to my rooms, this time using the less crowded halls. That must be why they were crowded, Elrond's Council. A broad smile graced my face as I entered my room and walked over to weapon racks and began unloading. I did not however, ditch all of my knives or my swords. You never know with strangers, and besides that Boromir guy there were Dwarves runnin around, and Dwarves and Elves go together as well as me and a bright pink dress full of frills.
Stomping over to my wardrobe case I yanked it open and rummaged through the few clothes on the bottom of it until my hands brushed against rough canvas. I yanked out the tan colored package and began to undo the knots in the string and shoved it back into the wardrobe, leaving me with one hand full of black material. It was made in Lothlorien, woven as a gift by the Lady Galadriel herself. She knew without me telling her that I wore no color other than black. Maybe it was her eyes that told her so, maybe it was that mirror of her. Either way, she gave me a cloak in the darkest of blacks I had ever seen. It was as if even the shadows were a bright sun near the cloak, as if it sucked all the light from the air around it. Perfect, if you ask me. There were special slits to provide for my swords, and numerous pockets. Galadriel knew my habits well.
Just as the cloak settled on my shoulders I heard a great warning bell. The Council of Elrond was about to begin. An idea took root in my brain, and instead of completely changing my shape I merely shrank and grew wings that were as black, if not more than, my cloak and turned into a fairy. I experimented with my wings a moment before zooming out past my balcony and off to the meeting place.
When I got there Elrond was just saying, "Here, my friends, is the Hobbit, Frodo son of Drogo. Few have ever come hither through greater peril or on an errand more urgent."
I settled down on the chair back of Strider, who was present, and told him I was there. Surprising enough, it was as if he knew when and how I was gonna come, because he just nodded and whispered so softly even I had trouble hearing him, "Right on time, Dri. You have not yet missed anything." to which I laughed .
Elrond continued to drone on, introducing the others. I knew of Frodo, the Elves Glorfindel, Erestor, and Galdor. I sat up straight with shock when the odd Elf done up in green and brown who was introduced as none other than Legolas Greenleaf, prince of Northern Mirkwood with an urgent message from his father, King Thranduil. Then there was that suspicious Man Boromir, who was looking just a tad exhausted from his morning ride. Gandalf, Strider, and of course, Elrond were all present. Two Dwarves, Gloin and his son Gimli were also present. I had seen the last one running around for a few days, and currently possessed a knife that had been in his rooms. So far I hadn't been questioned bout any missing knives.
Those at the council started talking about things going on outside of Rivendell, but most of them I had already known of. That is, I thought I knew of them until Gloin told his disturbing tale, "'It is now many years ago,' said Gloin, 'that a shadow of disquiet fell upon our people. Whence it came we did not at first perceive. Words began to be whispered in secret: it was said that we were hemmed in a narrow place, and that greater wealth and splendor would be found in a wider world. Some spoke of Moria: the mighty works of our fathers that are called in our own tongue Khazad-dum; and they declared that now at last we had the power and numbers to return.'"
The fat dwarf sighed heavily and kept on, "'Moria! Moria! Wonder of the Northern world! Too deep we delved there, and woke the nameless fear. Long have its mansions lain empty since the children of Durin fled. But now we spoke of it again with longing, and yet with dread; for no Dwarf has dared to pass the doors of Khazad-dum for the lives of many kings, save Thror only, and he perished. At last, however, Balin listened to the whispers, and resolved to go; and though Dain did not give leave willingly, he took with him Ori and Oin and many of our folk, and they went away south.'"
I had been near the area of the mountains where Khazad-dum lay beneath in Elvish form, and a dark form had pressed upon my mind. I'd entered through the Eastern doors and saw nothin alive except the numerous goblins that lived deep where the Dwarves had mined. I saw and heard no Dwarves, but still the sense of evil pressed against my mind until I relented and left. A little research showed that the darkness was a creature of terror to the Elves, and all that would do good, for Balrogs oppose anything pure and yet take no darker sides than their own.
The old dwarf continued on, and talked of how a horseman for the Dark Lord Sauron hammered on their door a year ago and questioned their Dain about Rings and Hobbits, and how there was a friendship to be made. Luckily, the Dain had told him to come back, cuz he needed time to think about it. (Luckily, I do not think that the Dwarves knew of Bilbo's real actions concerning the Ring he had once had. I do, I stole his book while he was 'resting' his eyes.) The messenger returned three times for news or the 'trifle' of Bilbo's. Gloin ended his end of the council with these words "'And so I have been sent at last by Dain to warn Bilbo that he is sought by the Enemy, and to learn, if may be, why he desires this ring, this least of rings. Also we crave the advice of Elrond. For the Shadow grows and draws nearer. We discover that messenger have also come to King Brand in Dale, and that he is afraid. We fear that he may yield. Already war is gathering on his eastern borders. If we make no answer, the Enemy make move Men of his rule to assail King Brand, and Dain also.'"
"'You have done well to come,' said Elrond. 'You will hear today all that you need in order to understand the purposes of the Enemy. There is nought that you can do, other than to resist, with hope or without it. But you do not stand alone. You will learn that your trouble is but a part of the trouble of all the western world. The Ring! What shall we do with the Ring, the least of rings, the trifle that Sauron fancies? That is the doom that we must deem.'
'That is the purpose for which you are called wither. Called, I say, though I have not called you to me, strangers form distant lands. You have come and are here met, in this very nick of time, by chance as it may seem. Yet it is not so. Believe, rather that it is so ordered that we, who sit here, and none others, must now find counsel for the peril of the world.'
'Now, therefore, things shall be openly spoken that have been hidden from all but a few until this day. And first, so that all my understand what is the peril, the Tale of the Ring shall be told from the beginning even to this present. And I will begin that tale, though others shall end it.
Elrond then told of what I already knew, some from Kara and her books, other stuff from my research.
There were the Elven-smiths of Eregion and their friendliness with Moria. The only things that those Elves were guilty of eagerness for knowledge, by which Sauron ensnared them. He had not yet shown his dark side, but gave the smiths his help and they became masters in their craft, while he learned their secrets. Sauron the Deceiver betrayed all of them and forged secretly the One Ring, master of all the others, in the Mountain of Fire. Only Celembrimbor knew of his cloaked evil and hid the Three he made, the Three Sauron had never touched. War broke out, decimating the land into little more than nothingness and Moria's gates shut.
They continued with the history, and I shrank my size and began to flutter around the area where those attending sat. In the back, darkened corner there was a single chair sat alone and unused, with only the Elf runes for my name on it in the wood working. Someone was too lazy to just get a piece of paper, so they designed the whole dang chair for me. I hovered over it, momentarily forgetting about the talk behind me and decided it would make a nice addition to my rather bare room.
I left it and began to half listen as the history of the Ring was traced, and I fluttered over, little more than a minuscule dot wavering about the air and sat down on the shoulder of Elrond. He had an excellent set up, the Men on one side, then a spew of Elves with the Dwarves next to them followed by Gandalf, Bilbo, and Frodo.
The morning had run away before Elrond was even near finished lecturing, of the Last Alliance of Elves and Men, and the fall and rise of many. He paused at last, and sighed, making me think he had either finished or talked his tongue into a bloody pulp. But, nope, can't do that, now, can we?
"'I remember well the splendor of their banners,' he said. 'It recalled to me the glory of the Elder Days and the hosts of Beleriand, so many great princes and captains were assembled. And yet not so many, nor so fair, as when Thangorodrim was broken, and the Elves deemed that evil was ended for ever, and it was not so.'
'You remember?'" asked Frodo.
It made me want to smack him on the head, but my tiny hand probably would not have even been felt. Instead, I settled for saying sarcastically, "Of course not, he read about it in the weekly Times, back here in Rivendell while there was a dark overlord threatening to end all good in the world. Of course Elrond remembers, idiot, he just happens to be immortal!"
But I wasn't even heard as Frodo was speaking his thoughts aloud in his astonishment. "'But I thought,' he stammered as Elrond turned towards us, ' I thought that the fall of Gil-galad was a long age ago.'
'So it was indeed, answered Elrond gravely. " But my memory reaches back even to the Elder Days. Earendil was my sire, who was born in Gondolin before its fall; and my mother was Elwing, daughter of Dior, son of Luthien of Doriath. I have seen three ages of the West of the world, and many defeats, and many fruitless victories.'
'I was the herald of Gil-galad and marched with his host. I was at the battle of Dagorlad before the Black gates of Mordor where we had the mastery: for the Spear of Gil-galad and the Sword of Elendil, Aiglos and Narsil broke beneath him; but Sauron himself was overthrown, and Isildur cut the Ring from his hand with the hilt-shards of his father's sword, and took it for his own.'"
Now Bilbo took up his tale, but that story is told in "A Hobbit's Tale: There and Back Again". But, since I had already read it before, as I said earlier, it was really only revised information to the Dwarves and comletely new news to anyone not concerned with that adventure. It went on for very near an hour until Bilbo finally stopped.
Here the lumbering lump of Man, Boromir broke in and declared like it was some great mystery. "'So that is what became of the Ring!'" he cried. 'If ever such a tale was told in the South, it has long been forgotten. I have hard of the Great Ring of him who we do not name; but we believed that it perished from the world in the ruin of his first realm. Isildur took it! That is tidings indeed'
'Alas! yes,' said Elrond. 'Isildur took it, as should not have been. It should have been cast then into Orodruin's fire nigh at hand where it was made. But few marked what Isildur did. He alone stood by his father in that last mortal contest; and by Gil-galad only Cirdan stood, and I. But Isildur would not listen to our counsel.
''This I will have as weregild for my father, and my brother,'' he said; and therefore whether we would or no, he took it to treasure it. But soon he was betrayed by it to his death; and so it is named in the North Isildur's Bane. Yet death maybe was better than what else might have befallen him.'
'Only to the North, did these tidings come, and only to a few. Small wonder it is that you have not heard them, Boromir. From the ruin of the Gladden Fields, where Isildur perished, three men only ever came back over the mountains after long wandering. One of these was Ohtar, the esquire of Isildur, who bore the sword of Elendil; and he brought them to Valandil, the heir of Isildur, who being but a child had remained here in Rivendell, but Narsil was broken and its light extinguished, and it has not yet been forged again.'
'Fruitless did I call the victory of the Last Alliance? Not wholly so, yet it did not achieve its end. Sauron was diminished, but not destroyed. His ring was lost but not unmade. The Dark Tower was broken, but its foundations were not removed; for they were made with the power of the Ring, and while it remains they will endure. Many Elves and many mighty Men, and many of their friends, had perished in the war. Anarion was slain, and Isildur was slain, and Gil-galad and Elendil were no more. Never again shall there be any such a league of Elves and Men; for Men multiply and the Firstborn decrease, and the two kindreds are estranged. And ever since that day the race of Numenor has decayed, and the spans of their years has lessened.'
' In the North after the war and the slaughter of the Gladden Fields the Men of Westernesse were diminished and their city of Annuminas beside Lake Evendim fell into ruin; and the heirs of Valandil removed and dwelt at Fornost on the High North Downs, and that now too is desolate. Men call it Deadmen's Dike, and they fear to tread there. For the folk of Anor dwindled and their foes devoured them, and their lordship passed, leaving only green mounds in the grassy hills.'
'In the South the realm of Gondor long endured; and for a while its splendor grew, recalling somewhat of the might of Numenor, ere it fell. High towers that people built, and strong places, and havens of many ships; and the winged crown of the Kings of Men was held in awe by folks of many tongues. Their chief city was Osgiliath, Citadel of the Stars, through the midst of which the River flowed, and Minas Ithil they built, Tower of the Rising Moon, eastward upon a shoulder of the Mountains of Shadow; and westward at the feet of the White Mountain Minas Anor they made, Tower of the Setting Sun. There in the courts of the King grew a white tree, from the seed of that tree which Isildur brought over the deep waters, and the seed of that tree before came form Eressea, and before that out of the Uttermost West in the Day before days when the world was young.'
I started to hum tunelessly for the second time that day, and second time during Elrond's all important review. Or at least, review for me. Only a few more moment were filled with chatter before Elrond fell silent.
Then that proud git of a Man, Boromir stood up. "I have traveled many days from Gondor, and with her voice I tell you this: the blood of Numenor has not yet been spent, nor has the pride and dignity been forgotten. By our valor and strength of arms have your lands been kept free of the wild folk of the east and the terror of Morgul kept at bay, and only we keep the bulwark against evil still standing strong. But what if we fall? Truly the hour may draw nigh, for the Nameless Enemy has arisen again. Smoke rises once more from Orodruin that we call Mount Doom. The power of the Black Land grows and we are hard beset. When the Enemy returned our folk were driven from Ithilien, our fair domain..."
I was getting bored, mainly because I knew all he was saying. Black boogie men were roaming the edges of the land. It basically scared the shit outta every he-Man between there and Timbucktoo. They were attacked at this bridge place by Osgiliath. They kept the bridge until they were forced to jump and swim back when it was cast down behind them. Now Boromir had a puzzle- a nice little bit of trivia from Kara.
Tuning back in, cuz I was gettin a tad bit bored as Fairy Dri, I heard, " In that dream I thought the eastern sky grew dark and there was a growing thunder, but in the West a pale light lingered, and out of it I heard a voice, remote but clear, crying:
Seek for the Sword that was broken:
In Imladris it dwells;
There shall be counsels taken
Stronger than Morgul-spells.
There shall be shown a token
That Doom is near at hand,
For Isildur's Bane shall waken,
And the Halfling forth shall stand.
Of these words we understand little, and we spoke to our father, Denethor, Lord of Minas Tirith, wise in the lore of Gondor. This only he would say, that Imladris was of old the name of the Elves of a far northern dale, where Elrond the Half-elven dwelt, greatest of lore-masters. Therefore my brother, seeing how desperate was our need, was eager to heed the dream and seek for Imladris; but since the way was full of doubt and danger, I took the journey upon myself. Loth was my father to give me leave, and long have I wandered by roads forgotten, seeking the house of Elrond, of which many have heard, but few knew where it lay.'"
"Here your queries shall be laid to rest, as shall those with questions shall hear the answers they sought. Strangers from distant lands, friends of old. You have been summoned here to answer the threat of Mordor. Middle-earth stands on the brink of destruction, none can escape it. You will unite or you will fail. Each race is bound to this fate, this one doom. Bring forth the Ring, Frodo."
The small Hobbit did so and sat back down, looking like a great weight had just been relieved of his tired body. I leaned forward, not to gawp at the Ring like the others, but to intently study the looks on the faces of all present. The reaction was varied, and any observer could tell who knew what this truly meant, and those who had only the slightest comprehension of what the hell was goin on.
"So it's true." Boromir said putting a finger thoughtfully to his lips. He acted like he had ants in his pants, or something, because he shifted around in his chair and stood up again to re-address the councils. But first, he did the oddest thing: he walked over to the little pedestal where the Ring lay in the center and made as if he were going to pick it up and whispered, "Isildur's Bane."
Uruuva, tiny as it was, began to send out small glittering pulses from around my neck. I leapt from Aragorn's chair into the air and immediately began changing shape. My voice rang out, saying the exact same words as Gandalf, who was also now on his feet, our voices harsh and the sky dimming
"Ash nazg durbatuluk, ash nazg gimbatul, ash nazg thrakatuluk agh burzum-ishi kripatul."
I landed softly on my feet just as we finished reciting the nearly forgotten rhyme or whatever one could call it and the sky brightened. I straightened as my wings shrunk and disappeared, winked at Elrond who had his head in his hand (from me or the language I had just spoken in, I'm not sure) "One Ring to rule them all. One Ring to find them, One Ring to bring them all and in the darkness bind them." I spat at that imbecile of the Man.
"Never before has any voice uttered any of that tongue here, in Imladris." I winked again at Elrond, who was speaking, and let Gandalf explain as I ignored the perturbed and worried looks I got form the council members, who then returned their attention to Gandalf, and went to sit down in my own seat to listen, and if necessary, interrupt the council.
Boromir was sitting down once more after this new outburst and gave looks that combined dislike, fright and puzzlement all into one before he shook his head, like if he did that I would just go away, and got up, again. "It is a gift, a gift to the foes of Mordor! Why not use this Ring? Long has my father, the Steward of Gondor, kept the forces of Mordor at bay; by the blood of out people are your lands kept safe. Give Gondor the weapon of the Enemy, let us use It against him."
"You cannot wield it." Aragorn beet me to talking before I could open my mouth, unable to let this fool yammer about what he did not know. "None of us can. The One Ring answers to Sauron alone; It has no other master"
"And what would a Ranger know of this matter?" retorted Boromir.
I smirked and got ready to shove his words back down his throat as I spoke as I stood up, "This is no mere Ranger. He is Aragorn, son of Arathorn. You owe him your allegiance."
"Aragorn?" he said looking at Strider, who did not deny his identity. "This is Isildur's heir?" Aragorn only raised his head higher.
"Aaannnnddd heir to the throne of Gondor. That parts just a teensy weensy bit important, too, ya know." I replied. Frodo, I noticed out of the corner of my eyes, was clearly shocked, to find out this grungy guy was King to a really big country.
"Sit down, Dri." was all Aragorn told me in Elvish, slightly shaking his head to get the point that now was not the greatest time to pick a fight across.
"Gondor has no King. Gondor needs no King." Bromir stated before finally sitting down.
"Ooh, smart aren't we," I muttered as I sat back down. Gondor has no king, Gondor needs no King." I mocked under my breathe.
"Aragorn is right. We cannot use it." Gandalf said, standing up. Jeez, what's with everyone thinking that in order to talk they gotta stand?
"You have only one choice," Aught, Elrond was standing up too! He kept talking, unaware of my personal musings. "You must destroy it." Boromir got this little look on his face like some one told him the gym just got demolished.
"Then what are we waiting for?" gruffly demanded Gimli as he hefted an axe and stepped over to the Ring, slamming the weapn down as hard as he could. There was a great flash, and for a moment a great eye was discernible to me. I glanced at Uruuva, who was shimmering just slightly. I looked at the other Ring, which was unharmed and surrounded by the broken bits of axe. Gimli was now on his back, thrown there by the rebound of his own force.
"The Ring cannot be destroyed, Gimli, son of Gloin, by any craft we here possess; the Ring was made in the fires of Mount Doom, only there can It be unmade. It must be taken deep into Mordor and cast back into the fiery chasm from whence it came. One of you must do this."
'One does not simply walk into Mordor," said Boromir, the first besides Aragorn to speak from their chair. "Its Black Gates are guarded by more than just Orcs. There is evil there that does not sleep, the Great Eye is ever watchful. It is a barren wasteland riddled with fire and ash and dust; the very air you breathe is a poisonous fume. Not with even ten thousand men could you do this, it is folly."
"Have you heard nothing Lord Elrond just said?" demanded Legolas as he stood up in anger. "The Ring must be destroyed!"
"And I suppose you think you're the one to do it?!" asked the enraged Gimli, jumping to his feet.
"And if you fail, what then? What happens when Sauron takes back what is his?" Boromir chimed in.
"I will be dead before I see the Ring in the hands of an Elf.!" declared our red-aired dwarf. His statement made me want to laugh as every one started to jump up and argue, with only Legolas, Frodo, and Elrond, besides myself, showing any wish not to fight, because I don't think Gimli realized that had the Elves wanted the Ring, Elrond could have taken it many times, or if need be, had guards overpower Frodo, or even the council, seeing as how Rivendell IS an Elvish city.
Finally, just when I was about to jump into the fray, Frodo yelled out, "I will take It! I will take It!" I winced, as did Gandalf. The poor Hobbit did not know that I was gonna ask Elrond if I could take It to Mordor, alone. I sighed, and every one turned towards this small creature who was alone in his distinctive courage to offer to go, not fight over who would not go." "I will take the Ring to Mordor! Though, I do not know the way." finished Frodo.
"I will help you to bear this burden, Frodo Baggins, as long as it is yours to bear."
I shrank back to Fairy Dri again and flew over to where Elrond was and landed on his shoulder, a nearly invisible speck of pure darkness against the bright colors of his clothes.
Aragorn stood and announced, "If by my life or death I can protect you, I will." before walking over to Frodo, where he knelt so that he was in actuality shorter than the standing Frodo. "You have my sword."
I noticed Gandalf wink in our direction, me and Elrond, and I only rolled my eyes, which was something I had noticed of late Elrond did quite well.
"And you have my bow." added Legolas, coming over to stand with the new group.
"Which will do no good if you gots no arrows! What is this?" I said out loud so that only Elrond would hear, "Some sign-up to get themselves killed?"
"And MY axe!" the ever gruff dwarf Gimli declared.
Legolas, I could see from my nice view, had this little disgruntled look that clearly meant, 'Oh, God, no. not the Dwarf... I'm gonna kill 'em' Which is exactly what I would have been thinking when I heard the next person to jump on board the bandwagon to Mordor.
"You carry the Fate of us all, Little One. If this is indeed the will of the council, then Gondor will see it done." stated Boromir as he sort of walked, in a proper manly version of someone with no ability whatsoever in their knees, behind Gimli.
Bushes twitch in the corner of my eye and the Hobbit Samwise Gamgee, or just Sam, exploded as fast as he possibly could into the council with this little "Haeey!" and scurried over next to Frodo, who was looking surprised at this newcomer, friend that he was. "Mister Frodo's not goin' anywhere without me." and crossed his arms deliberately over his chest.
Elrond sighed and with a tint of exasperation in his voice said, "No indeed. It is hardly possible to separate the two of you, even when he is summoned to a secret council and you are not!" Which got grins all around, and made me start laughing so hard I fell off backwards and started hovering in little jerks of mirth around Elrond.
"Oi! We're comin' too!" cried a new Hobbit, Merry, I think it was, as he and Pippin scurried up to the little dais where the council was.
Elrond whirled around at the newest Hobbit intrusion and I started laughing harder, saying to myself, "Ack! The invasion of Midgets!! Run for your lives! The Midgets are coming!!"
"You'll have to send us home tied up in a sack to stop us!' said Merry to the incredulous Frodo.
"Any way," added Pippin, "you need people of intelligence on this sort of mission...quest...thing!"
I gave a hilarious shriek as every one in the group besides Frodo started giving each other these little, "Intelligence? Him? You have GOT to be kidding!" looks and Gandalf was just standing there shaking his head in disbelief at the words coming out of Pippin's overlarge mouth.
Merry whispered to the last Hobbit, "Well, that rules you out, Pip." To which Pippin, the cutie that he was, started to nod before he got the meaning to Merry's words and then looked slightly offended.
"Nine companions... So be it! You shall be the Fellowship of the Ring!" proclaimed Elrond.
'Right." answered Pip. "Where are we going?"
I solved the problem of nagging maids, servants, whatever they actually were, by finally just leaving a bloody knife on my floor, next to a rabbit I had shot. It made a wonderful mess and sent the young Elf-chick screaming her poor, pretty head of and she refused to ever clean my rooms again. She acted like it was a cardinal sin, or something, to not have a room cleaned. They treat me like someone of high rank, and I despise it.
I groaned and went over to my north wall. The entire area was covered by a weapons rack, full of knives, two set of bows and quivers, a bundle of arrows, and two Elvish style fighting swords. The last two I had yet to name, but every other weapon had an identity that fit its job Pathetic, I know, naming knives and such, but it's my way and I'm not about to stop now.
Taking a deep sigh I started strapping on weapons. The two nameless swords went on my back, making an 'X' in their special sheathes. The straps in front held pouches for throwing stars and smaller daggers. My bow, similar to the ones used by Galadriel's people, went over the one that my left hand would grab, my quiver over the right one. Again, sounds weird but it was my way and it worked for me. My combats boots had small straps sewn into the material on the inside to prevent the knifes I kept on my calf from sliding down and rubbing blisters on my ankle. My thighs were weaponless, but only because that's where the majority of my pockets were. These I refilled as needed and added a few of my own concoctions, including a homemade smoke bomb and a mini Molotov cocktail, ready to be soaked, lit, and thrown. Other objects that were defiantly Earth-inspired found homes on my person before I was finished and walked out the door.
Winding my way through the oddly crowded halls I found my way to Nicolas' rooms and let myself in with a little help from my lock picks that were hidden in my coronet of hair. The guy was sleeping, peacefully, his skin a normal color and a red tint back in his cheeks. Just to be sure, I took out a small vial that reminds me of a miniature pixie stick and broke it beneath his nose, allowing him to inhale it. I waited a minute to make sure the fast acting sleeping powder was in full swing before I peeled back an eyelid. Sky blue irises, thank God. Nicolas was free from the wraith-world, and so, then was Frodo. I turned and walked out of the room without a backward glance. The sleepy stuff would only last about five minutes, so I wasn't worried about Sleeping Beauty never waking up or anything like that.
Next stop on my list was the Library Room, where I went to a certain shelf, opened a particular book to an exact page, and got out a pen that had come with me from Earth and a piece of parchment. I traced the map of Middle Earth, just to be on the safe side. I mean, I knew my way decently around, I had gone most of the places. But if you accidentally wind up in the Shire instead of Rohan on a previous excursion, you might wanna bring a map if you're headin for Mordor.
Finished, I went to what was basically Elrond's office so I could inform him of my new vacation ideas. I barged in, ignored the travel-stained Man that was there and started talking despite their conversation. "Oi, Elrond. I'm gonna leave for a year or two, so see ya round.!" I wheeled to leave the room, but I should of remembered how sharp and Elf's perfect ears are.
Instead of him just letting me go, I got this sortta stately, Elven version, "WHAT?!?! You come back here right now, missy and tell me what its all about!"
So I turned around, gave a death-glare to that stupid Man, took a deep breathe and began spouting off in Elvish to avoid that slimy Man's eavesdropping. 'Yeah, listen. I woke up, thought for maybe a minute, and decided there are gonna be big things now that Frodo and the One Ring are here. So, I decided, take Uruuva Mornie, leave and head off for a little while. I was thinking, somewhere with stinkin marshes, poisonous air, big bad dude roamin' around. Sounds kinda like Mordor, doncha think? But first I as gonna hang around with Galadriel, steal some lembas, and then hide out somewhere in a Mordorian cave until you all decided to get off your lazy bums and send the Ring to its destruction. I'll help the Ringbearer destroy the damn thing, get rid of Uruuva, come back to Rivendell and chill. Maybe I'll kick a little Sauron ass along the way, but if not, cool."
"Lady Kadrianna Huinemeoi, I believe it best that you stay in Rivendell until we have decided what we are going to do with the One Ring that Frodo bears." This is where I started humming tunelessly, as I ignored Elrond and began fingering my knives and looking suspiciously at that Man. I guess I musta been nodding my head too, cuz 'fore I know it I hear Elrond going, "Then we are agreed?"
I did what any sensible person would do. Walk away. Only to be called back, again, by a rather annoyed Elf-lord. And then there was still my nice little one-Man audience, all of this combining to annoy me, despite the fact that I was rather cheerful and rested. Elrond gave his look, that one he seemed to reserve specially for me as no one else appeared to receive it. I returned with my own special I- don't- care- that- you're- glaring- at- me- cuz- I- can- glare- back- look.
"Are we or are we not agreed?"
"Umm, Elrond? Remember what I said? You know, the whole spiel about not wanting any titles or anything? I sorta stopped listening at the 'Lady', much less my full name, probably due to the fact that there is not a speck of 'Lady' in me. But anyways, I am going, unless you have any better ideas." With a small grrfff of annoyance I crossed my arms over my weapon-covered chest
"My deepest apologies, Dri." I grunted, which he wisely ignored and kept yappin, "and yes, I do have an idea. There is to be a council today, in an hour and one half, to be precise, and I would appreciate your presence. You, as a bearer of Uruuva Mornie, owe it to be there when the fate of the One Ring is decided, and thus the fate of the Ring you bear mapped out. Actually, I was just discussing this matter with Boromir, son of Denethor."
At this point I glared at both Elrond and Boromir, the well traveled Man, and muttered a rather rude comment about my opinions on the male sector of that particular race. Let's just put it this way: any Man who understood would have been blushing furiously and crossing his legs in a rather uncomfortable manner. Which only made me grin crazily at my rash statement. Again I was given The Glare as Elrond Glare-giver just wouldn't shut up.
"All the races will be represented, and so I would deem it appropriate if you, only woman of your kind known to be in Middle-Earth, were there to essentially show some self interest."
"Nooooo-"
"Frodo Baggins shall be there."
"-thing planned for then. But I'm not coming human, okay? It' bad enough that its
gonna be entirely guys, but to have a he-Man, like our Boromir here, there you'd hafta pay me a million bucks to see ME. So no flippin if you see a hawk that likes to land on your chair or sumthin."
"Fine."
I turned around and walked out the door and started headed back to my rooms to unload a little before the "Yelling Morons" Contest I had been blackmailed into it. First was the whole 'It's your duty' tactic. Then Glare-giver used Frodo against me. I have a fascination with Hobbits, probably acquired from my friend Gandalf. Those creatures, Hobbits, I mean, are like tree-hugger midgets. Yet, they are as strong and unbreakable as my swords when need be. And here was a Hobbit who had a mere trinket that laced his destiny with mine. Of course I was fascinated.
Gandalf! I had forgotten to ask if he had arrived! I turned around with not a little swearing an headed back to Elrond's office but before I had even reached the door I heard Elrond call out in the common tongue "He's around, Dri. He should be here in about twenty minutes, if that wizard decides to be on time."
Grinning, I quoted Gandalf's favorite retort to remarks on his lateness. "You know 'A wizard is never late, nor is he early, Elrond Half-elven. He arrives precisely when he means to."
"And that just happens to be exactly this minute." added a warm voice behind me.
"Gandalf!!" I practically shrieked in recognition as I spun to embrace my ancient friend, nearly knocking him down. "What happened? You didn't come, I was ready to go find you myself, Mithrandir." I backed off to give him room from my deathly hug and looked questioningly into his expressive eyes.
"All will be revealed at the council, which I suppose you are being ruthlessly forced to attend, Dri?"
"Actually, Gandalf, she has agreed to come on her own. She was on the verge of refusing before I informed her that a young Hobbit by the name of Frodo Baggins would also be in attendance."
"So that explains the absence of any blood on walls or floor," said Gandalf with a wink at me, "all for the best, I am sure. Hail to you, Boromir, son of Denethor. I suggest you be careful around this woman, and keep your tongue clenched firmly behind your teeth for she nearly always manages to outwit one despite the effort one puts into his side of the losing battle of words."
Groaning, I pulled out a live knife and began tossing it up in the air, making it cartwheel many times before I would catch it by its hilt. After a moment of silence I spoke my mind, "Don't matter what he says or what he don't say. I'm gonna judge 'im by his actions. And he might wanna know I have a pretty damn short temper." I didn't know why I spoke so uneducated, more than usual, I mean, and threw in the 'damn', but something about this Man reminded me about Hans, the way they both seemed to have a cautious air about them. Grrrfffff. I flipped my knife one last time before catching it and replacing the weapon back in its sheath in one fluid movement, turned and walked back out the door. "See ya at the Council, Mithrandir!" I called over my shoulder before I was
gone.
Again I headed back to my rooms, this time using the less crowded halls. That must be why they were crowded, Elrond's Council. A broad smile graced my face as I entered my room and walked over to weapon racks and began unloading. I did not however, ditch all of my knives or my swords. You never know with strangers, and besides that Boromir guy there were Dwarves runnin around, and Dwarves and Elves go together as well as me and a bright pink dress full of frills.
Stomping over to my wardrobe case I yanked it open and rummaged through the few clothes on the bottom of it until my hands brushed against rough canvas. I yanked out the tan colored package and began to undo the knots in the string and shoved it back into the wardrobe, leaving me with one hand full of black material. It was made in Lothlorien, woven as a gift by the Lady Galadriel herself. She knew without me telling her that I wore no color other than black. Maybe it was her eyes that told her so, maybe it was that mirror of her. Either way, she gave me a cloak in the darkest of blacks I had ever seen. It was as if even the shadows were a bright sun near the cloak, as if it sucked all the light from the air around it. Perfect, if you ask me. There were special slits to provide for my swords, and numerous pockets. Galadriel knew my habits well.
Just as the cloak settled on my shoulders I heard a great warning bell. The Council of Elrond was about to begin. An idea took root in my brain, and instead of completely changing my shape I merely shrank and grew wings that were as black, if not more than, my cloak and turned into a fairy. I experimented with my wings a moment before zooming out past my balcony and off to the meeting place.
When I got there Elrond was just saying, "Here, my friends, is the Hobbit, Frodo son of Drogo. Few have ever come hither through greater peril or on an errand more urgent."
I settled down on the chair back of Strider, who was present, and told him I was there. Surprising enough, it was as if he knew when and how I was gonna come, because he just nodded and whispered so softly even I had trouble hearing him, "Right on time, Dri. You have not yet missed anything." to which I laughed .
Elrond continued to drone on, introducing the others. I knew of Frodo, the Elves Glorfindel, Erestor, and Galdor. I sat up straight with shock when the odd Elf done up in green and brown who was introduced as none other than Legolas Greenleaf, prince of Northern Mirkwood with an urgent message from his father, King Thranduil. Then there was that suspicious Man Boromir, who was looking just a tad exhausted from his morning ride. Gandalf, Strider, and of course, Elrond were all present. Two Dwarves, Gloin and his son Gimli were also present. I had seen the last one running around for a few days, and currently possessed a knife that had been in his rooms. So far I hadn't been questioned bout any missing knives.
Those at the council started talking about things going on outside of Rivendell, but most of them I had already known of. That is, I thought I knew of them until Gloin told his disturbing tale, "'It is now many years ago,' said Gloin, 'that a shadow of disquiet fell upon our people. Whence it came we did not at first perceive. Words began to be whispered in secret: it was said that we were hemmed in a narrow place, and that greater wealth and splendor would be found in a wider world. Some spoke of Moria: the mighty works of our fathers that are called in our own tongue Khazad-dum; and they declared that now at last we had the power and numbers to return.'"
The fat dwarf sighed heavily and kept on, "'Moria! Moria! Wonder of the Northern world! Too deep we delved there, and woke the nameless fear. Long have its mansions lain empty since the children of Durin fled. But now we spoke of it again with longing, and yet with dread; for no Dwarf has dared to pass the doors of Khazad-dum for the lives of many kings, save Thror only, and he perished. At last, however, Balin listened to the whispers, and resolved to go; and though Dain did not give leave willingly, he took with him Ori and Oin and many of our folk, and they went away south.'"
I had been near the area of the mountains where Khazad-dum lay beneath in Elvish form, and a dark form had pressed upon my mind. I'd entered through the Eastern doors and saw nothin alive except the numerous goblins that lived deep where the Dwarves had mined. I saw and heard no Dwarves, but still the sense of evil pressed against my mind until I relented and left. A little research showed that the darkness was a creature of terror to the Elves, and all that would do good, for Balrogs oppose anything pure and yet take no darker sides than their own.
The old dwarf continued on, and talked of how a horseman for the Dark Lord Sauron hammered on their door a year ago and questioned their Dain about Rings and Hobbits, and how there was a friendship to be made. Luckily, the Dain had told him to come back, cuz he needed time to think about it. (Luckily, I do not think that the Dwarves knew of Bilbo's real actions concerning the Ring he had once had. I do, I stole his book while he was 'resting' his eyes.) The messenger returned three times for news or the 'trifle' of Bilbo's. Gloin ended his end of the council with these words "'And so I have been sent at last by Dain to warn Bilbo that he is sought by the Enemy, and to learn, if may be, why he desires this ring, this least of rings. Also we crave the advice of Elrond. For the Shadow grows and draws nearer. We discover that messenger have also come to King Brand in Dale, and that he is afraid. We fear that he may yield. Already war is gathering on his eastern borders. If we make no answer, the Enemy make move Men of his rule to assail King Brand, and Dain also.'"
"'You have done well to come,' said Elrond. 'You will hear today all that you need in order to understand the purposes of the Enemy. There is nought that you can do, other than to resist, with hope or without it. But you do not stand alone. You will learn that your trouble is but a part of the trouble of all the western world. The Ring! What shall we do with the Ring, the least of rings, the trifle that Sauron fancies? That is the doom that we must deem.'
'That is the purpose for which you are called wither. Called, I say, though I have not called you to me, strangers form distant lands. You have come and are here met, in this very nick of time, by chance as it may seem. Yet it is not so. Believe, rather that it is so ordered that we, who sit here, and none others, must now find counsel for the peril of the world.'
'Now, therefore, things shall be openly spoken that have been hidden from all but a few until this day. And first, so that all my understand what is the peril, the Tale of the Ring shall be told from the beginning even to this present. And I will begin that tale, though others shall end it.
Elrond then told of what I already knew, some from Kara and her books, other stuff from my research.
There were the Elven-smiths of Eregion and their friendliness with Moria. The only things that those Elves were guilty of eagerness for knowledge, by which Sauron ensnared them. He had not yet shown his dark side, but gave the smiths his help and they became masters in their craft, while he learned their secrets. Sauron the Deceiver betrayed all of them and forged secretly the One Ring, master of all the others, in the Mountain of Fire. Only Celembrimbor knew of his cloaked evil and hid the Three he made, the Three Sauron had never touched. War broke out, decimating the land into little more than nothingness and Moria's gates shut.
They continued with the history, and I shrank my size and began to flutter around the area where those attending sat. In the back, darkened corner there was a single chair sat alone and unused, with only the Elf runes for my name on it in the wood working. Someone was too lazy to just get a piece of paper, so they designed the whole dang chair for me. I hovered over it, momentarily forgetting about the talk behind me and decided it would make a nice addition to my rather bare room.
I left it and began to half listen as the history of the Ring was traced, and I fluttered over, little more than a minuscule dot wavering about the air and sat down on the shoulder of Elrond. He had an excellent set up, the Men on one side, then a spew of Elves with the Dwarves next to them followed by Gandalf, Bilbo, and Frodo.
The morning had run away before Elrond was even near finished lecturing, of the Last Alliance of Elves and Men, and the fall and rise of many. He paused at last, and sighed, making me think he had either finished or talked his tongue into a bloody pulp. But, nope, can't do that, now, can we?
"'I remember well the splendor of their banners,' he said. 'It recalled to me the glory of the Elder Days and the hosts of Beleriand, so many great princes and captains were assembled. And yet not so many, nor so fair, as when Thangorodrim was broken, and the Elves deemed that evil was ended for ever, and it was not so.'
'You remember?'" asked Frodo.
It made me want to smack him on the head, but my tiny hand probably would not have even been felt. Instead, I settled for saying sarcastically, "Of course not, he read about it in the weekly Times, back here in Rivendell while there was a dark overlord threatening to end all good in the world. Of course Elrond remembers, idiot, he just happens to be immortal!"
But I wasn't even heard as Frodo was speaking his thoughts aloud in his astonishment. "'But I thought,' he stammered as Elrond turned towards us, ' I thought that the fall of Gil-galad was a long age ago.'
'So it was indeed, answered Elrond gravely. " But my memory reaches back even to the Elder Days. Earendil was my sire, who was born in Gondolin before its fall; and my mother was Elwing, daughter of Dior, son of Luthien of Doriath. I have seen three ages of the West of the world, and many defeats, and many fruitless victories.'
'I was the herald of Gil-galad and marched with his host. I was at the battle of Dagorlad before the Black gates of Mordor where we had the mastery: for the Spear of Gil-galad and the Sword of Elendil, Aiglos and Narsil broke beneath him; but Sauron himself was overthrown, and Isildur cut the Ring from his hand with the hilt-shards of his father's sword, and took it for his own.'"
Now Bilbo took up his tale, but that story is told in "A Hobbit's Tale: There and Back Again". But, since I had already read it before, as I said earlier, it was really only revised information to the Dwarves and comletely new news to anyone not concerned with that adventure. It went on for very near an hour until Bilbo finally stopped.
Here the lumbering lump of Man, Boromir broke in and declared like it was some great mystery. "'So that is what became of the Ring!'" he cried. 'If ever such a tale was told in the South, it has long been forgotten. I have hard of the Great Ring of him who we do not name; but we believed that it perished from the world in the ruin of his first realm. Isildur took it! That is tidings indeed'
'Alas! yes,' said Elrond. 'Isildur took it, as should not have been. It should have been cast then into Orodruin's fire nigh at hand where it was made. But few marked what Isildur did. He alone stood by his father in that last mortal contest; and by Gil-galad only Cirdan stood, and I. But Isildur would not listen to our counsel.
''This I will have as weregild for my father, and my brother,'' he said; and therefore whether we would or no, he took it to treasure it. But soon he was betrayed by it to his death; and so it is named in the North Isildur's Bane. Yet death maybe was better than what else might have befallen him.'
'Only to the North, did these tidings come, and only to a few. Small wonder it is that you have not heard them, Boromir. From the ruin of the Gladden Fields, where Isildur perished, three men only ever came back over the mountains after long wandering. One of these was Ohtar, the esquire of Isildur, who bore the sword of Elendil; and he brought them to Valandil, the heir of Isildur, who being but a child had remained here in Rivendell, but Narsil was broken and its light extinguished, and it has not yet been forged again.'
'Fruitless did I call the victory of the Last Alliance? Not wholly so, yet it did not achieve its end. Sauron was diminished, but not destroyed. His ring was lost but not unmade. The Dark Tower was broken, but its foundations were not removed; for they were made with the power of the Ring, and while it remains they will endure. Many Elves and many mighty Men, and many of their friends, had perished in the war. Anarion was slain, and Isildur was slain, and Gil-galad and Elendil were no more. Never again shall there be any such a league of Elves and Men; for Men multiply and the Firstborn decrease, and the two kindreds are estranged. And ever since that day the race of Numenor has decayed, and the spans of their years has lessened.'
' In the North after the war and the slaughter of the Gladden Fields the Men of Westernesse were diminished and their city of Annuminas beside Lake Evendim fell into ruin; and the heirs of Valandil removed and dwelt at Fornost on the High North Downs, and that now too is desolate. Men call it Deadmen's Dike, and they fear to tread there. For the folk of Anor dwindled and their foes devoured them, and their lordship passed, leaving only green mounds in the grassy hills.'
'In the South the realm of Gondor long endured; and for a while its splendor grew, recalling somewhat of the might of Numenor, ere it fell. High towers that people built, and strong places, and havens of many ships; and the winged crown of the Kings of Men was held in awe by folks of many tongues. Their chief city was Osgiliath, Citadel of the Stars, through the midst of which the River flowed, and Minas Ithil they built, Tower of the Rising Moon, eastward upon a shoulder of the Mountains of Shadow; and westward at the feet of the White Mountain Minas Anor they made, Tower of the Setting Sun. There in the courts of the King grew a white tree, from the seed of that tree which Isildur brought over the deep waters, and the seed of that tree before came form Eressea, and before that out of the Uttermost West in the Day before days when the world was young.'
I started to hum tunelessly for the second time that day, and second time during Elrond's all important review. Or at least, review for me. Only a few more moment were filled with chatter before Elrond fell silent.
Then that proud git of a Man, Boromir stood up. "I have traveled many days from Gondor, and with her voice I tell you this: the blood of Numenor has not yet been spent, nor has the pride and dignity been forgotten. By our valor and strength of arms have your lands been kept free of the wild folk of the east and the terror of Morgul kept at bay, and only we keep the bulwark against evil still standing strong. But what if we fall? Truly the hour may draw nigh, for the Nameless Enemy has arisen again. Smoke rises once more from Orodruin that we call Mount Doom. The power of the Black Land grows and we are hard beset. When the Enemy returned our folk were driven from Ithilien, our fair domain..."
I was getting bored, mainly because I knew all he was saying. Black boogie men were roaming the edges of the land. It basically scared the shit outta every he-Man between there and Timbucktoo. They were attacked at this bridge place by Osgiliath. They kept the bridge until they were forced to jump and swim back when it was cast down behind them. Now Boromir had a puzzle- a nice little bit of trivia from Kara.
Tuning back in, cuz I was gettin a tad bit bored as Fairy Dri, I heard, " In that dream I thought the eastern sky grew dark and there was a growing thunder, but in the West a pale light lingered, and out of it I heard a voice, remote but clear, crying:
Seek for the Sword that was broken:
In Imladris it dwells;
There shall be counsels taken
Stronger than Morgul-spells.
There shall be shown a token
That Doom is near at hand,
For Isildur's Bane shall waken,
And the Halfling forth shall stand.
Of these words we understand little, and we spoke to our father, Denethor, Lord of Minas Tirith, wise in the lore of Gondor. This only he would say, that Imladris was of old the name of the Elves of a far northern dale, where Elrond the Half-elven dwelt, greatest of lore-masters. Therefore my brother, seeing how desperate was our need, was eager to heed the dream and seek for Imladris; but since the way was full of doubt and danger, I took the journey upon myself. Loth was my father to give me leave, and long have I wandered by roads forgotten, seeking the house of Elrond, of which many have heard, but few knew where it lay.'"
"Here your queries shall be laid to rest, as shall those with questions shall hear the answers they sought. Strangers from distant lands, friends of old. You have been summoned here to answer the threat of Mordor. Middle-earth stands on the brink of destruction, none can escape it. You will unite or you will fail. Each race is bound to this fate, this one doom. Bring forth the Ring, Frodo."
The small Hobbit did so and sat back down, looking like a great weight had just been relieved of his tired body. I leaned forward, not to gawp at the Ring like the others, but to intently study the looks on the faces of all present. The reaction was varied, and any observer could tell who knew what this truly meant, and those who had only the slightest comprehension of what the hell was goin on.
"So it's true." Boromir said putting a finger thoughtfully to his lips. He acted like he had ants in his pants, or something, because he shifted around in his chair and stood up again to re-address the councils. But first, he did the oddest thing: he walked over to the little pedestal where the Ring lay in the center and made as if he were going to pick it up and whispered, "Isildur's Bane."
Uruuva, tiny as it was, began to send out small glittering pulses from around my neck. I leapt from Aragorn's chair into the air and immediately began changing shape. My voice rang out, saying the exact same words as Gandalf, who was also now on his feet, our voices harsh and the sky dimming
"Ash nazg durbatuluk, ash nazg gimbatul, ash nazg thrakatuluk agh burzum-ishi kripatul."
I landed softly on my feet just as we finished reciting the nearly forgotten rhyme or whatever one could call it and the sky brightened. I straightened as my wings shrunk and disappeared, winked at Elrond who had his head in his hand (from me or the language I had just spoken in, I'm not sure) "One Ring to rule them all. One Ring to find them, One Ring to bring them all and in the darkness bind them." I spat at that imbecile of the Man.
"Never before has any voice uttered any of that tongue here, in Imladris." I winked again at Elrond, who was speaking, and let Gandalf explain as I ignored the perturbed and worried looks I got form the council members, who then returned their attention to Gandalf, and went to sit down in my own seat to listen, and if necessary, interrupt the council.
Boromir was sitting down once more after this new outburst and gave looks that combined dislike, fright and puzzlement all into one before he shook his head, like if he did that I would just go away, and got up, again. "It is a gift, a gift to the foes of Mordor! Why not use this Ring? Long has my father, the Steward of Gondor, kept the forces of Mordor at bay; by the blood of out people are your lands kept safe. Give Gondor the weapon of the Enemy, let us use It against him."
"You cannot wield it." Aragorn beet me to talking before I could open my mouth, unable to let this fool yammer about what he did not know. "None of us can. The One Ring answers to Sauron alone; It has no other master"
"And what would a Ranger know of this matter?" retorted Boromir.
I smirked and got ready to shove his words back down his throat as I spoke as I stood up, "This is no mere Ranger. He is Aragorn, son of Arathorn. You owe him your allegiance."
"Aragorn?" he said looking at Strider, who did not deny his identity. "This is Isildur's heir?" Aragorn only raised his head higher.
"Aaannnnddd heir to the throne of Gondor. That parts just a teensy weensy bit important, too, ya know." I replied. Frodo, I noticed out of the corner of my eyes, was clearly shocked, to find out this grungy guy was King to a really big country.
"Sit down, Dri." was all Aragorn told me in Elvish, slightly shaking his head to get the point that now was not the greatest time to pick a fight across.
"Gondor has no King. Gondor needs no King." Bromir stated before finally sitting down.
"Ooh, smart aren't we," I muttered as I sat back down. Gondor has no king, Gondor needs no King." I mocked under my breathe.
"Aragorn is right. We cannot use it." Gandalf said, standing up. Jeez, what's with everyone thinking that in order to talk they gotta stand?
"You have only one choice," Aught, Elrond was standing up too! He kept talking, unaware of my personal musings. "You must destroy it." Boromir got this little look on his face like some one told him the gym just got demolished.
"Then what are we waiting for?" gruffly demanded Gimli as he hefted an axe and stepped over to the Ring, slamming the weapn down as hard as he could. There was a great flash, and for a moment a great eye was discernible to me. I glanced at Uruuva, who was shimmering just slightly. I looked at the other Ring, which was unharmed and surrounded by the broken bits of axe. Gimli was now on his back, thrown there by the rebound of his own force.
"The Ring cannot be destroyed, Gimli, son of Gloin, by any craft we here possess; the Ring was made in the fires of Mount Doom, only there can It be unmade. It must be taken deep into Mordor and cast back into the fiery chasm from whence it came. One of you must do this."
'One does not simply walk into Mordor," said Boromir, the first besides Aragorn to speak from their chair. "Its Black Gates are guarded by more than just Orcs. There is evil there that does not sleep, the Great Eye is ever watchful. It is a barren wasteland riddled with fire and ash and dust; the very air you breathe is a poisonous fume. Not with even ten thousand men could you do this, it is folly."
"Have you heard nothing Lord Elrond just said?" demanded Legolas as he stood up in anger. "The Ring must be destroyed!"
"And I suppose you think you're the one to do it?!" asked the enraged Gimli, jumping to his feet.
"And if you fail, what then? What happens when Sauron takes back what is his?" Boromir chimed in.
"I will be dead before I see the Ring in the hands of an Elf.!" declared our red-aired dwarf. His statement made me want to laugh as every one started to jump up and argue, with only Legolas, Frodo, and Elrond, besides myself, showing any wish not to fight, because I don't think Gimli realized that had the Elves wanted the Ring, Elrond could have taken it many times, or if need be, had guards overpower Frodo, or even the council, seeing as how Rivendell IS an Elvish city.
Finally, just when I was about to jump into the fray, Frodo yelled out, "I will take It! I will take It!" I winced, as did Gandalf. The poor Hobbit did not know that I was gonna ask Elrond if I could take It to Mordor, alone. I sighed, and every one turned towards this small creature who was alone in his distinctive courage to offer to go, not fight over who would not go." "I will take the Ring to Mordor! Though, I do not know the way." finished Frodo.
"I will help you to bear this burden, Frodo Baggins, as long as it is yours to bear."
I shrank back to Fairy Dri again and flew over to where Elrond was and landed on his shoulder, a nearly invisible speck of pure darkness against the bright colors of his clothes.
Aragorn stood and announced, "If by my life or death I can protect you, I will." before walking over to Frodo, where he knelt so that he was in actuality shorter than the standing Frodo. "You have my sword."
I noticed Gandalf wink in our direction, me and Elrond, and I only rolled my eyes, which was something I had noticed of late Elrond did quite well.
"And you have my bow." added Legolas, coming over to stand with the new group.
"Which will do no good if you gots no arrows! What is this?" I said out loud so that only Elrond would hear, "Some sign-up to get themselves killed?"
"And MY axe!" the ever gruff dwarf Gimli declared.
Legolas, I could see from my nice view, had this little disgruntled look that clearly meant, 'Oh, God, no. not the Dwarf... I'm gonna kill 'em' Which is exactly what I would have been thinking when I heard the next person to jump on board the bandwagon to Mordor.
"You carry the Fate of us all, Little One. If this is indeed the will of the council, then Gondor will see it done." stated Boromir as he sort of walked, in a proper manly version of someone with no ability whatsoever in their knees, behind Gimli.
Bushes twitch in the corner of my eye and the Hobbit Samwise Gamgee, or just Sam, exploded as fast as he possibly could into the council with this little "Haeey!" and scurried over next to Frodo, who was looking surprised at this newcomer, friend that he was. "Mister Frodo's not goin' anywhere without me." and crossed his arms deliberately over his chest.
Elrond sighed and with a tint of exasperation in his voice said, "No indeed. It is hardly possible to separate the two of you, even when he is summoned to a secret council and you are not!" Which got grins all around, and made me start laughing so hard I fell off backwards and started hovering in little jerks of mirth around Elrond.
"Oi! We're comin' too!" cried a new Hobbit, Merry, I think it was, as he and Pippin scurried up to the little dais where the council was.
Elrond whirled around at the newest Hobbit intrusion and I started laughing harder, saying to myself, "Ack! The invasion of Midgets!! Run for your lives! The Midgets are coming!!"
"You'll have to send us home tied up in a sack to stop us!' said Merry to the incredulous Frodo.
"Any way," added Pippin, "you need people of intelligence on this sort of mission...quest...thing!"
I gave a hilarious shriek as every one in the group besides Frodo started giving each other these little, "Intelligence? Him? You have GOT to be kidding!" looks and Gandalf was just standing there shaking his head in disbelief at the words coming out of Pippin's overlarge mouth.
Merry whispered to the last Hobbit, "Well, that rules you out, Pip." To which Pippin, the cutie that he was, started to nod before he got the meaning to Merry's words and then looked slightly offended.
"Nine companions... So be it! You shall be the Fellowship of the Ring!" proclaimed Elrond.
'Right." answered Pip. "Where are we going?"